Behaviour of a Gusset Plate Connection Under Compression

Abstract

The paper presents behaviour of gusset plate connections in compression. The finite element method is employed to examine the buckling resistance of the gusset plate connections. The FE model is validated to results of physical tests and verified by an analytical solution based on existing formulas. Finally, a parametric study is performed. The studied parameters include gusset plate thickness and size, types of connection between the gusset plate and frame members and stiffeners.

Multi‐Level Joints and Element Design

“…In 1993, Kitipornchai published a study [11], which predicts three types of collapse of eccentrically connected diagonals. The analytical design methods developed based on this principle by Wilkinson [12], Khoo [13] and Lutz [14] are conservative, but served as fast and relatively accurate in current practice and are commonly used [15], [16], [17], and [18]. The other two modes of collapse are the failure of the joint plates without swinging and the failure of the joint plates with swinging, Fig 1. The Kitipornchai 's approaches were applied in models studied by Wilkinson et al [12], who proposed modifications in the load capacity calculation.…”

“…1. The shear force has the magnitude of Design resistances calculated by CBFEM were compared with results of analytical model, experiments, and research oriented finite element model [18] and [19]. 1 Failure mode of eccentric gusset plate connection [19] The resistance of such failure mode is linearly dependent on steel yield strength, length of the plastic hinge, free length of connecting and gusset plate and quadratically on the thickness of gusset and connecting plates.…”

“…The other two modes of collapse are the failure of the joint plates without swinging and the failure of the joint plates with swinging, Fig 1. The Kitipornchai 's approaches were applied in models studied by Wilkinson et al [12], who proposed modifications in the load capacity calculation. The analytical design methods developed based on this principle by Wilkinson [12], Khoo [13] and Lutz [14] are conservative, but served as fast and relatively accurate in current practice and are commonly used [15], [16], [17], and [18]. The collapse mechanism by two plastic hinges at a gusset plate and a connecting plate well represent the situation, when the member buckling resistance is higher than the resistance of gusset plate, see Fig.…”

“…3. The shear force has the magnitude of Design resistances calculated by CBFEM were compared with results of analytical model, experiments, and research oriented finite element model [18] and [19]. The experiments were performed at CTU in 2018 and comprised six specimens.…”

“…The recommendation for design by advanced modelling in structural steel is ready to be used in Annex C of EN 1993-1-5:2005 [11]. Due to large variety of geometry some types were studied only numerically [18]. The FEA of structural joints is the coming step in structural steel design.…”